What do computer games actually develop? What computer games develop thinking? What skills do computer games develop?

American scientists have found that computer games contribute to the development of speed of thinking and reaction. In the course of the experiments, it turned out that gamers memorized a much larger amount of information in a short period of time than people who are indifferent to computer games.

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Computer games increase intelligence. Their lovers have a better reaction and solve complex problems faster. This is the conclusion reached by researchers at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. The results obtained clearly contradict the opinion that the time spent on computers, spent on killing monsters and aliens, does not give players anything but a release of dopamine, ITAR-TASS reports. Scientists conducted an experiment with a group of students, which included fans of computer games and those who were indifferent to them. During the experiment, it turned out that games stimulate the development of motor-reflex functions of the body and hand-eye coordination, and the visual center of the brain in gamers processes information much faster. Scientists have narrowed the scope of the study as much as possible. This made it possible to obtain clearer results.

The basis of the experiment was the observation test. Students on a special scoreboard included a set of flashing letters. Each of them was shown for only one tenth of a second. Then the participants had to answer as soon as possible in what order the letters were arranged.

The results demonstrated by gamers were definitely better. They memorized much more information. Each of them could give a serious head start to those who are not keen on computer games. At the same time, both categories of participants in the experiment equally quickly forgot which text was offered to them during testing. They focused on it only directly during the experiment.

It has long been known that preschool education of children plays an important role. All babies have a mobile nature, an increased sense of curiosity and a low awareness of responsibility. And it will be very difficult for a child who is devoted only to games and entertainment before school to adjust and get used to a new role for him - a student who must behave diligently and calmly in class, listen to the teacher, memorize new material and regularly prepare homework.

Therefore, such attention is paid to preparing the child for school. But during this time, it is necessary not only to instill discipline in the child, to explain to him new rules and responsibilities, and to teach at least elementary counting and reading. It is necessary to develop his motor skills, memory, imagination, reactions and logic. And specialized computer games can become the best assistant in this.

And do not rush to contemptuously grimace and snort indignantly!
These classes will not at all be like entertainment and a waste of time. Child psychologists took part in the development of these programs, and they were created specifically to help you properly and successfully prepare your baby for school, correct omissions or mistakes made during its development. And the colorfulness and visibility will turn a real lesson into a kind of game and make it easier for the child to perceive new material. Take a closer look, because in order to go to the next level, you need to add the name of the princess from the cubes, to get the sword - to place the figures correctly, and to find a clue - to solve the puzzle.

And do not worry - modern computer technology is completely safe for your baby and will not bring him any harm if you follow some rules and explain their importance to your child. First, of course, the baby should not spend too much time at the computer. For children from 3 to 5 years old, twenty minutes a day will be enough, and older children, 6-10 years old, can study from half an hour to forty-five minutes.

Explain to the child that he should:
- do not touch the wires and parts of the machine that are not related to the lesson;
- do not touch sockets;
- be careful with the keyboard and mouse;
- do not sit too close to the monitor screen - it should be no closer than the outstretched arm from the child's eyes;
- in case of a computer malfunction or program malfunction, call your parents and do not touch anything yourself.

What are computer games and how can they help your child get ready for school?
Specialists divide them into several types, according to their purpose:
- developing logical thinking and memory of the child;
- improving coordination of movements (fine motor skills of hands);
- developing counting and reading skills;
- developing fantasy and three-dimensional perception;
- developing the artistic taste and ear for music of the child.

Consider, for example, the development of memory.
Psychologists say that the problem with children is that they do not know how to remember things and events as needed. The memory of babies works spontaneously, remembering only the most vivid and emotionally strong impressions that cannot but “burn into memory”. And, going to school, a first grader simply needs to be able to memorize new knowledge "as needed", and not spontaneously.
How does the game work? She simply puts the baby in front of the need to remember something in order to use it during the game, and the colorfulness and unusualness of impressions facilitate this process, contribute to memorization.
The most popular games of this class are, for example, games where you need to assemble a picture from small pieces, for which the whole picture is shown for some time. Or find and remove all paired pictures from the group, while all the pictures are closed, and you can open no more than two at the same time. Or remember the location of a group of objects, and then, when they are mixed, arrange them in their places or indicate the missing ones.

Very useful games that develop the thinking of the child. Have you noticed how difficult it is for a baby to adjust to counting "in his mind" without using his own fingers, or to learn to read "to himself" and not aloud? This happens because the child needs to rely on some external means that are symbols for him (fingers when counting). Games help the baby gradually abstract from things that really exist in the world. So, starting with objects familiar to the child, for example, apples or dolls, letting the child understand that these are just signs, and not real things, the program gradually changes them, transforming them into unreal objects that do not exist in reality, thus developing the sign function of consciousness , that is, the understanding that there are several levels of reality of the world around us - these are real objects, and pictures with their image, and words, and our thoughts ... So the child learns to operate not only with real things that he can touch, but also with images . Here, games are good for finding a logical pair or distributing objects according to some principle.

There are also programs that contribute to the formation of the so-called sensory standards in the child, which, in turn, ensure the formation of important mental qualities. In such programs, color or size standards are often hidden in some object, and the task of the child is to find the desired standard.

Well, there is no need to talk about the importance of developing the child's motor reactions! After all, even in primary school some children have difficulty with the concepts of "right" and "left", difficulties with recording "by ear" - psychologists call this the coordination of the joint activity of the visual (or auditory) and motor analyzers). A computer game, on the other hand, can easily help in overcoming these problems. Indeed, in any game, the child must simultaneously press certain keys (which develops the small muscles of the hands and prepares the child for writing) and follow what is happening on the screen. And on how quickly the child can change the position of the hero of the game by pressing the desired key, its final depends.

An important role is played by the selection of a program that is suitable for your baby by age. Of course, if you plant a five-year-old kid for a colorful and uncomplicated quest, there will be little benefit.

For the youngest children, games for the development of perception are recommended. For example, to assemble a picture from several parts, put the figures in their places, for example, collect a doctor's bag or settle animals in their habitats. Also, games are suitable where you need to find a "hidden" figure or object, or compare two drawings.

For children 5-7 years old, games that require the child to use his creative qualities will be good. For example, create a character (if everything is done correctly, he comes to life), draw a picture of a certain content. At the same time, in addition, it is also recommended to ask the child to come up with a name for the hero, tell who he is, write some kind of story with his participation, which, moreover, can be illustrated on a computer. Your help will be indispensable here - if your child is experiencing some difficulties, start the story yourself and let him continue it.

From the age of 8, the so-called, construction games, in which it is necessary to collect a certain geometric figure from several data, or, conversely, split it into given parts. Games with labyrinths or simple and colorful adventure quests with logical riddles and tasks for quick wit and reaction are also suitable.

But there is no need to think that a computer is a magician that will easily prepare your kid for school, develop the necessary abilities and skills in him. A lot will depend on you. Interest the child, support this interest, unobtrusively suggest, push to the right decision.

And, of course, your praise and smile are very important! Do not forget that your classes are still studies. And it is you who are the teacher, and the computer with all its capabilities is nothing more than a tool designed to help you cope with the responsible and difficult task of preschool education of a child.

Today, parents and doctors are sounding the alarm about the fact that young people are abusing computer games. At the same time, scientists have proven that there are benefits from computer games. In any case, when it comes to everyday and vital skills. Of course, this does not mean at all that you need to sit at the computer all day long. But knowing about the benefits of such games is very useful.

1. Concentration and control

Call of Duty
Everyone knows that best games- it's complex. Defeating a seemingly "impossible" boss or earning a "super tricky" achievement is rewarding. This dopamine rush really teaches people perseverance and personal responsibility.

The “reward” that the brain receives teaches a person to concentrate while doing something and helps him control the situation around him. These skills are easily applied in the real world.

2. Therapy

"SPARX"
In 2012, a research group in New Zealand used a game called "SPARX" to treat depressed teenagers. It is worth noting that this game has been specifically designed to provide therapy to children. The study involved 168 adolescents with an average age of 15 who suffered from depression.

Half of them were used as a control group and were regularly interviewed by psychologists, while the other played SPARX. The SPARX user group showed encouraging results, with 44% of players fully recovering from their depression, compared to 26% in the control group.

3. Marriage

"Pokemon Go"
Games that have a big following or social aspect can really help make new friends. Some games even require the person to walk more on fresh air(for example, "Pokemon-Go"). The real benefit in this case lies in the community that is formed for the shared experience.

Game conventions, online multiplayer sessions, and competitions help players meet new people and make friendships of interest. What's more, some happy married couples met through online gaming.

4. Everyday reading skills

"Rayman Raving Rabbids"
In February 2013, Italian researchers presented evidence that computer games can help everyday skills such as reading. Were taken two groups of children aged 7 to 13 years.

One group played "Rayman Raving Rabbids" and the other a slower game. When the reading skills of the two groups were tested after some time, it was found that those who played the action game could read faster and more accurately.

5. Multitasking

Call of Duty
The intense situational awareness and control required when playing shooter games like Call of Duty appear to improve gamers' ability to engage in visual and auditory tasks simultaneously.

It may seem obvious, but it really helps real life. Multitasking development is a great skill to master for everyday life. It helps performance in general.

6. Memory, motor skills, navigation

« super mario 64"
In 2013, German researchers studied how old PC games like Super Mario 64 affected the brains of gamers. They asked 23 adults aged 25 to play Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes a day for two months. The researchers also had a control group that didn't play the games at all.

The results were just amazing. After scanning the brains of gamers and controls using an MRI machine, gamers were found to have a marked increase in gray matter in their right hippocampus, right prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum. These are areas responsible for memory, strategy, fine motor skills, and spatial navigation.

7. Better vision

series "Wolfenstein"
A 2009 study from the University of Rochester found that shooting bad guys can improve eyesight. Players who enjoyed shooting pixelated enemies in games such as Unreal Tournament 2004 or Call of Duty benefited from enhanced contrast sensitivity.

This is the ability to distinguish subtle changes in the brightness of an image. What's more, it's one of the first visual skills children develop, and it gets weaker over time. The researchers also believe that computer games may be used in the future to correct poor vision.

8. Intelligence level

Call of Duty
It is not yet clear whether PC games improve general level intelligence, it seems that they help to teach a person new skills and strengthen them. This does not necessarily mean that a person will become smarter.

There are several games that have been developed to improve problem solving ability, critical thinking and reading comprehension. Of course, there are also a large number of educational apps and games for kids of all ages.

9. General quality of life

"Unreal Tournament"
Whether a person is a hardcore gamer or not, a PC game can improve their overall quality of life. She can, for example, improve his physical fitness or help him achieve his goal. If you think of yourself as a level 1 character, you can identify areas that need improvement.

After that, you need to work on these abilities and monitor your progress. So you can "work through" almost all aspects of life. You can use strategies that have been developed in games and apply them in real life to achieve your goals.

BONUS

Those who are completely against computer games should learn about.

At almost every step, we hear that playing computer games is harmful, because these toys not only “tear” us out of reality, but also cause a steady addiction. However, such facts have no scientific justification and have not been officially confirmed. But the benefits of computer games have been proven. There are at least 7 reasons to start playing computer games.

19:51 19.02.2015

2. Gamers improve their English language skills through games.

World of Warcraft, Call of Duty and other similar action games and shooters contribute to the popularization of the English language. For example, one study in Sweden showed that young people who play computer games communicate online for about 10-12 hours a week. English language(written or oral). Moreover, in games it is often used colloquial with expressions and words that are not in either the general school or university programs.

3. Computer games are a source of new knowledge.

Poll of the creators of the popular WOT games(popularly called "tanks"), showed that the players became more interested in military history, including tank building, due to which they began to visit museums and thematic exhibitions more often. And, importantly, not alone, but together with their spouses and children.

Another WOT player under the nickname Swordman writes: “But I personally have a sadness: when you watch old war films, you immediately notice that instead of German tanks, ours are only in a square body kit made of painted wood. I didn’t notice before, but now you can see everything at once even by the skating rinks.”

4. Games improve coordination and memory, develop logical thinking.

The best proof of this is the fact that some schools in Europe use computer games (like Minecraft) to develop motor skills and logical thinking in children, and many surgeons prefer to play shooters to train coordination.

On the WOT forum, one of the players (under the nickname Asasinhope) wrote that his passion for games even saved his life: “I bounced off a car whose tire was torn off, I think purely because of the reaction that I acquired in shooters.”

5. Thanks to games, you can meet new people and even find your soul mate.

It's not true that avid gamers are people out of touch with real life. On the contrary, they are more socially active than many non-players. For example, research by the Entertainment Computer Manufacturers of America showed that the majority of gamers regularly play sports, read the latest news in newspapers or online, engage in creative work, and regularly visit movies, theaters, and museums. Agree, it does not look like social isolation at all.

On the “tankers” forum, which is already well known to us, a player under the name AmberMind writes: “Based on personal experience, in online game you can really meet very sympathetic people who will come to the rescue in difficult times. This is great! By the way, there are examples when dating in games led to the creation happy families, is also sufficient.

6. Shooters and action games are a great way to throw out negativity and aggression.

Studies prove that games help patients to distract from pain, and when aggression and negativity accumulate in real life, this is a great opportunity to throw it out virtually.

And here is an example from life. Mrtimoxa, an avid tanker, writes: “I play after work. a couple of hours - and all the aggression accumulated during the day goes away. I found a friend in a random house, it turned out we live in neighboring areas, now we periodically go bowling.”

7. Computer games develop creativity and imagination.

Performing various tasks, finding possible ways to solve the tasks, a person develops his creative thinking and the ability to think outside the box.

TotalDespair, a WOT player believes that "strategic and tactical games develop global thinking, pay more attention to detail. For people of creative professions, games are sometimes a source of inspiration, like music, books, films. Also, in my case, team game(in the realities of WoT, I mean a platoon) - this is another reason to chat with friends with whom it is not always geographically possible to maintain regular communication.

MOSCOW, October 1 - RIA Novosti. Long-term observations of the work of the brain of gamers have shown what best develops and stimulates our nervous system not puzzles and brain games, but shooters and arcades, say neuroscientists in an article published in the journal Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences.

"Modern video games have evolved into very complex phenomena that embody many of the principles that psychologists, neuroscientists and educators consider fundamentally important for the emergence of positive changes in human behavior, increasing the plasticity of the brain and its overall ability to learn in general. Games, by their nature, are proactive a form of learning that is usually more effective than passive acquisition of knowledge,” said Shawn Green of the University of Wisconsin at Madison (USA).

Green and his colleague Aaron Seitz from the University of California at Riverside (USA) found that computer games of various genres affect the development and functioning of our brain in a very different way by analyzing how some of today's popular games influenced the psyche and cognitive abilities of young people. people in experiments conducted by other scientists.

These included several shooters, including Wolfenstein and GTA, social games like Sims, building sandboxes (Minecraft), casual mobile games, such as Angry Birds and Candy Crush, as well as a number of educational gaming applications designed specifically for brain development.

As the observations of Green and Seitz showed, not all computer games are equally useful for the development of intelligence - for example, "sandboxes", casual games, card games like Heartstone did not positively affect the functioning of the brain of the players and do not contain such things that would stimulate the development of cognitive abilities.

On the other hand, in a rather unexpected way, shooting games and arcade games improved the mental abilities of gamers quite well and coped with this task no worse than games specially designed for this purpose.

"Shooter games have been associated with improved attention to detail, faster processing of information in the brain, and a number of other cognitive functions, including the development of speculative vision and imagination. Interestingly, intelligence games usually embody a fairly small number of these properties," - write the authors of the article.

Nevertheless, as scientists emphasize, one should not forget that computer games also have negative aspects. While they don't contribute to the attention deficit that many parents believe, there is evidence, Greene says, that they reduce a child's interest in what's going on in the classroom, as well as a number of other negative social effects.